RAM:Run DRAM at its Rated Speed (OC Profile)

You might notice that when you first install your RAM and boot to your system’s BIOS, the RAM is running at its standard speed (2133MHz/2400MHz in the case of DDR4 memory). Why does memory initially run at this slower speed?

*DDR4 memory running at its stock 2133MHz speed (shown as 1066.7MHz in CPU-Z).

To answer this question, we must consider the many different combinations of motherboards, processors, and memory that could be possible. A set of memory can be installed on numerous different processor/motherboard combinations, only some of which could actually handle the onboard changes needed for the memory modules to run at their rated speed. To avoid a bad combination resulting in an unbootable system, memory is set to run at a standard speed out of the box, which would put the modules within spec and work universally with all motherboards that support that type of memory.

What Is Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (Intel® XMP)?

Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (Intel® XMP) is technology that lets you overclock compatible DDR4 or DDR5 memory modules to enhance the gaming features built into PCs with Intel® Core™ processors.

XMP defines high-performance memory profiles that have been tested to work with that particular module or set of memory modules. When you purchase a memory kit from CORSAIR, the listed speed of our memory modules is the maximum speed that the modules are guaranteed to run at when using XMP.

Without XMP, your RAM speed will fall back to the default rate of the DDR4 or DDR5 RAM standard.

To enable XMP, you must install your high-performance memory on a motherboard that supports XMP in some form (usually an Intel Z or X-series chipset) and enable XMP within your motherboard's overclocking utility.

*DDR4 memory running at 3000MHz with XMP (shown as 1498.5MHz in CPU-Z).

Note: EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking) is AMD's version of the overclocking standard for memory

If your motherboard supports overclocking but doesn’t offer the ability to read the XMP of a module, as is the case with most AMD motherboards, the label on the modules will denote the rated speed, CAS timings, and voltage. These settings can be applied manually within the overclocking utility in your motherboard’s BIOS to enable the rated speed of the module, however, adjustments may need to be made for non-Intel platforms.

High speed memory can provide significant gains in various workloads from gaming to content creation. With the help of XMP, unlocking more performance can be as simple as turning it on in your system BIOS.

Below are steps for various motherboards on how to enable the OC profile for your memory.

Note: DOCP/EXPO and XMP options may change due to platform.  If you are unable to find the toggle for your specific motherboard please reference the motherboard manual.

ASUS ROG Strix

EZ Mode

1. In EZ Mode the EXPO. drop-down can be seen in the middle on the left side of this page.
   
2. Select the drop-down under EXPO
3. In the drop-down select Enabled.
   
4. Press F10 to Save & Exit.
5. A Save & Reset prompt will come up to confirm the save. Select Ok.
   

Advanced Mode

1. Select the Ai Tweaker Tab on the top of the page.
   
2. Select the Ai Overclock Tuner drop-down box.
   
3. Select the EXPO I option in this drop-down box.
   
4. Select the Exit tab on the top right of the page.
   
5. Select Save Changes & Reset.
   
6. A Save & Reset prompt will come up to confirm save. Select Ok.
   

ASUS

Advanced Mode

1. Select the Ai Tweaker tab on top of the BIOS page.
2. Scroll down to Ai Overclock Tuner
3. Select the Ai Overclock Tuner drop-down box.
4. In the drop-down box select XMP I.
   
5. Press F10 to Save Changes & Exit bios.
6. Select Ok in the Save Changes & Exit prompt.
   

MSI

EZ Mode

1. Select the Memory on left side of BIOS page.
2. Select the XMP Profile 1 on top left.
3. Press F10 in order to save changes and exit BIOS.

Advanced Mode

1. Select the OC on left side of BIOS.
2. Scroll down to find DRAM Settings.
3. Select A-XMP.
4. Change this to Profile 1.
5. Press F10 in order to save changes and exit BIOS.

ASRock

EZ Mode

1. Under DRAM Information select XMP Profile.
2. Press F10 to Save and Exit.

Advanced Mode

1. Select the OC Tweaker Tab on top of page.
2. Select DRAM Configuration.
3. Select Load XMP Setting.
4. Change to Profile 1.
5. Press F10 to Save and Exit BIOS.

TUF Gaming

Advanced Mode

1. Select the Ai Tweaker Tab on top of page.
2. Select the Ai Overclock Tuner drop-down.
3. Change to XMP I.
4. A Save Changes & Reset prompt will show, select Ok to save and reset.

Aorus

1. Select the Tweaker tab on top of the page.
2. Scroll down to and select Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).
   
3. Change to this to Profile 1.
4. Select Save & Exit tab on top of page.
5. Select Save Profiles.
6. Select and name a Profile.
7. Select Save and Exit. Select Yes.

NZXT

Easy Mode

1. Under DRAM Information select XMP Profile.
2. Save using the Floppy Disk Icon 💾on the top right.
3. Restart

Advanced

1. Select the Overclocking tab on top of page.
2. Scroll to find Load XMP Setting.
3. Select the drop-down and change to XMP 2.0 Profile 1.
4. Select the Exit tab on page.
5. Select Save Changes and Exit.